Not everyone can be a winner. And today a few teachers proved that. They dug deep all week finding peeps, hiding peeps and strategizing. They came to school early, they stayed late. They never gave up. They faced each day with grit and determination and...it paid off. They became PEEP WARS champions. And these teachers, in the picture below....well, they're the losers.... The only advice I can give to these losers is......START BEING MORE LIKE THE WINNERS.
Have a great spring break friends!
0 Comments
Today I was beyond excited when I found out that Alex Beekman was presenting and the admin meeting! <insert "fan girl" gif> He definitely didn't disappoint! He started his presentation with this slide. Take a look and then I want you to pay close attention to the names of kids who may pop into your mind. This quote made me think about those kids who seem to be causing issues and events for others on a daily basis. But, then if made me start to think about why they may not feel "embraced by the village". As an adim team we were then able to hear some quotes from our very own middle school and high school students from all Hilliard six buildings. It was amazing to hear about what school is like from the perspective of kids who may be in trouble often, failing classes or having serious attendance issues.
In my small group we discussed how the SYSTEM of school may be setting some kids up to feel like they are not embraced by the village. But, then, I challenged my group to not use the SYSTEM as an excuse and to think about the small interactions with have with kids or the slight changes we CAN make in the system to help them feel like they belong here. Our team started talking about what our process is when kids are tardy, we discussed that they (or their parents) are asked "Why are you late?" We talked about the implications of this being the very first words spoken to a child as he or she enters school. We then realized that a simple shift could be that we instead greet the child with a happy "Hi! I'm so glad you're here!" What a different way to start the day! Our conversations that branched into other parts of the day that simple shifts in our own language or expectations could positive impact children. I challenge you to reflect on times that you may be causing a child to feel that he or she is not embraced by the village. What can you do to help with this? Is it simply changing they way you approach a seemingly negative situation? Is it pulling a small group of some of your kids who are "burning the village" and asking them what you can do to help; how they feel about school or just simply having a positive conversation with them? How many of our kids have only negative interactions with adults at school? This question is a hard one to ask ourselves, but it is crucial. Today's admin meeting came at the perfect time for me. It aligns with the thinking we are doing as we read Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain and it connects with the thinking we will be doing at our Friday staff meeting. I'm excited to continue the journey of Culturally Responsive Teaching with all of your and continue to live our motto LOVE IS AN INTERVENTION. On March 15, 2021, just two short years ago, we welcomed our entire student population back to school after a year of eLearning and then hybrid instruction. This day seems like forever ago and yesterday all at the same time. When I saw this picture pop up on my memories yesterday, I was reminded of so many emotions and thoughts we all had that day. While we were excited to get back to some sense of normal, we were all worried about what would come next. It's nice to know that we've made it to the other side of a Global Pandemic in one piece. We've all learned so much.
Today I reflect on the most important things I learned form March 2020-today: 1-We work really well as a team at JW. 2-Love is TRULY an intervention. 3-If we need to make something work, we will! 4-I never want to wear a mask again. 5-Thank goodness for grocery delivery. Have a great day, friends! I'm reading a new book called Creating Cultures of Thinking and taking an online mini-course about it; so get ready because you know this kind of stuff gets me all JAZZED!
In my reading for one of my assignments I came across a quote that connected to the thinking we've been doing about math for the past few years due to our new learning about the Science of Reading. We've started to feel like our approaches to teaching reading have become more explicit and that our approaches to math are all about wonder and discovery. So, when I read this quote I couldn't help but think that this is was we've been looking for in math. "We must give students supports that they can hold on to as they take the lead-not just push them onto the path and hope they find their way." (Fisher and Frey 2008) I think that's how I have felt about math, like we are just pushing them onto the path and hoping they figure out the strategies that they need to be problem solvers. The way Fisher and Frey describe teaching and learning is exactly what we're striving for. We want to build independent learners but we must provide them supports and guidance so they can take the lead. I see this happening here at JW through our use of tiny targets. Students know exactly what they are learning and are able to determine if they've mastered what they need to. We have shifted our teaching into explicit instruction of basic facts and are ensuring that students are aware of a engaged in their journey to mastery. As you teach over the next few days, I challenge you to reflect on times you gave students supports that they could hold on to as they took the lead versus times you may just be setting on the path and hoping they get to where you want them to be! Mrs. Callif is the perfect example of a teacher who is a warm demander. She cares deeply about her students and pushes them outside of their comfort zones. That's exactly why she gets to have one of our good friends in her class, let's call him Mike. We all love him so much (and he knows it), but we knew he needed some PUSH.
This year, Mrs. Callif has been doing just that and he's been making great growth. But, sometimes, he has enough of her "care and push". Yesterday was one of those days. He ended up in the xSEL room. Some chairs may have been tipped and I may have been called in to help a little. There's nothing I love more than a chance to deescalate an upset friend. And, this time did not disappoint. Upon entering the xSEL room I learned that Mike was quite upset with Mrs. Callif. Then he said the unthinkable.... "Mrs. Callif you're trash!" "YOU'RE DOG WATER!" I said, "Wow! That's going to sting later when Mrs. Callif reflects on her day. She really loves you. How could you say that about her?" Later when he calmed down, I shared his comments with his mom who was also very upset that he would say such things about his wonderful teacher. But, as we all know love is an intervention...so, click on the link to the staff update to see what he brought her today. |
Archives
May 2023
Categories |